Fitness buffs are usually appealing to supplements to increase their muscle mass or get the right amount of energy to perform intense workouts. However, according to recent research, that habit might not be as healthy as the majority believes. As the scientists reported, the majority of bodybuilding supplements are harmful to brain health. More specifically, those containing L-norvaline should be avoided the most since that substance is causing damage to brain cells. But, also, other similar supplements might be ditched as they are leading to neurodegenerative diseases, over time.

L-norvaline is one of the hundred or more amino acids that are released in our gut and used by the organisms to build new proteins. But higher amounts of L-norvaline can cause brain damage, primarily since this amino acid has been used in bodybuilding supplements.

According to a new study on the damaging effects of bodybuilding supplements on brain health, L-norvaline and other substances are causing damage to the brain cells, while other compounds in these workout supplements can lead to neurodegenerative diseases.

Bodybuilding Supplements Are Harmful To Brain Health

“Protein requirements are higher in very active individuals, and proteins are considered to improve and increase performance. The demand for amino acids in supplements has expanded, but in addition to the normal protein-building amino acids other ‘non-protein’ amino acids are being taken,” said Kate Samardzic, a UTS School of Life Sciences Ph.D. candidate, and the leading author of the new study.

“Some non-protein amino acids are toxic because they can mimic protein amino acids and deceive the body into making faulty proteins; a property used by some plants to kill predators,” she added.

“Some plants can even release non-protein amino acids into the soil to kill other plants so that they can have access to all the nutrients. Chemical warfare among plants is a well-known phenomenon. Since there was evidence that L-norvaline has an antimicrobial and herbicidal activity we examined its toxicity in human cells,” Kate Samardzic concluded.